Potatoes received widespread nationwide coverage as a result of the BPC-inspired “There’s no such thing as a Couch Potato” campaign, which kicked off on June 20.
The campaign centred on farmers disgruntlement at the disservice the term does the potato. ‘Couch Potato’ is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as ‘a person who takes little or no exercise and watches a lot of television’, flying in the face of the industry’s counter-argument that their product is a healthy source of low-fat energy and vitamin C.
On that basis, farmers believe that the term couch potato should be removed from the dictionary and replaced with a more suitable phrase. They even came up with a practical alternative - Couch Slouch.
“This derogatory phrase misrepresents potatoes - an inherently healthy food. We want Couch Potato stripped from the dictionary and ultimately everyday conversation, and replaced with Couch Slouch - a far more fitting phrase.” says Robert Strathern, a potato farmer from Colchester.
The campaign featured simultaneous protests on June 20 in Parliament Square in London and outside the offices of the Oxford University Press (OUP) in Oxford.
The London Protest was attended by campaign-supporter Anthony Worrall Thompson, while Allan Stevenson, an Essex grower, represented potato farmers. Chants of “Couch Potato Out, Couch Slouch In” filled the air outside the OUP, attracting the interest of all the local media. Richard Stanley, an Oxfordshire grower, made his feelings known as part of the throng.
Before the 9.30am protests had even taken place the cause had been championed by nearly all the national papers on the campaign. These included full page spreads in The Daily Mail and The Mirror. On the red-letter day for the incredulous industry, more than 50 radio interviews took place. The campaign, based as it was on an assault on an oft-used phrase around the English-speaking world, was not only picked up in the UK. Requests for interviews were also received from far-flung, potato consuming corners of the globe.
Politicians, top dietitians, renowned chefs and major food retailers jumped on board the Couch Slouch bandwagon.
Nigel Evans MP for the Ribble Valley in Lancashire tabled an Early Day Motion in support of the campaign, highlighting the nutritional value of the great British potato.
Leading dietician, Amanda Ursell says: “Couch Potato is unfair to the potato which is bursting with goodness and packed full of essential nutrients that the body needs. With so many faddy diets being promoted, people have forgotten the basic body fuel requirements. Potatoes are an important part of a healthy diet - they are low in fat, full of vitamins and minerals and a great source of energy.”
And Worrall Thompson adds: “Potatoes are one of the UK’s favourite foods Not only are they healthy, they are versatile, convenient and taste great too. Life without potato is like a sandwich without a filling. I am more than happy to get involved and bring goodness back into the ‘word’ potato.”
At supermarket chain Sainsbury’s John Maylam, fresh produce trading manager, supported the campaign and says: “Couch Potato is a really unfair description of the potato. Potatoes are a healthy, versatile and convenient food. I’ll be signing up to the campaign and will be encouraging colleagues and customers to do the same.”
Unfortunately, it looks as though the tongue-in-cheek efforts are doomed to fail and the Oxford English Dictionary will not be removing the phrase. It seems words - however offensive - cannot be removed from the dictionary, only added.
But the consumer was certainly given some food for thought about the definition of the potatoes they eat.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Coverage in nearly every national paper on June 20.
• More than 50 radio interviews have taken place.
• Protests held outside Oxford University Press and in Parliament Square in London.
• Widespread national and local TV coverage.
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